Foden fronts parental leave drive

England rugby star Ben Foden has revealed he is as happy changing nappies as he is on the rugby pitch – as he fronts a drive encouraging fathers to play a bigger role in raising their babies.

Foden, 29, and his popstar wife Una from The Saturdays, have teamed up with the Government to promote shared parental leave.

The Northampton Saints fullback, told The Sunday Times: “In this day and age women can just as easily be the main breadwinner as men. Why should they have to give up their careers when they have children?”

The couple, who married in June 2012, have a two year-old daughter Aoife Belle and another child on the way.

And while rugby may have a reputation for attracting hard-drinking macho men, Foden revealed that many of players are happy to roll their sleeves up and be hands-on dads.

He said: “Being rugby players we are used to sweat, spit, blood and rolling around in the mud, so no one has a problem about getting their hands dirty changing nappies.”

Changes to the law allowing parents to share leave to raise their newborn come into force on April 5.

It means that after an initial two weeks, up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay can be shared between the parents.